Woodland FC Open with Strong Win against AFC Columbia

First competitive match in the MWPL, first competitive match at Mill Valley High School, Coach Chandler Givler making his competitive debut for the club, Federico Verlicchi and Sean Thomson captaining the side for the first time, seven starters making their competitive Woodland debuts, and first competitive match for their new kits from their kit supplier, Diaza. Woodland was proudly joined by several of their youth players who have attended camps, and plan on joining the Woodland FC academy in the Fall.

Woodland knew that Columbia would not be an easy opponent to deal with, especially with Columbia beating Great Plains FC in matchday 1. The match with great speed with Sean Thomson putting the ball in the back of Columbia's net within the first three minutes, but called back for offsides. Columbia responded with a promising attack of their own that resulted in an offsides call.

The deadlock was broken in the 25' once and for all after Falco Dijkhuis broke up a Columbia attack at the top of Woodland's penalty box. Dijkhuis sent the ball out to Arturo Rodriguez Arar, who cut inside finding Girma Kassa. Kassa dumped the ball outside to Thomson, who squared it to Arar. Arar then used an audacious touch to get around his defender, heel flicking the ball through his defender's legs, racing to the end line, and crossing it back to a wide open Kassa, roofing it into the goal over the despairing Drew Heller in goal.

1-0

Columbia would not go out without a fight. Columbia attacked well through their danger players—Breck McGrail, Robin Vandewalle, and Leandro Ficone. Vandewalle got on the end of a bad turnover in the 2nd half, and found himself in enough space to drive a shot toward goal. He had McGrail open next to him, but took the shot just wide. Hard to fault him taking the shot in such a promising position.

McGrail pressed hard throughout the match. Parker Rainwater was also an ever-present threat on the wing. His dribbling created constant opportunities. Ayman Kaouch had incredible sliding intervention to block Federico Verlicchi's shot in the box. Guy Baskerville led the backline against a potent Woodland attack. The control of the match drifted back and forth throughout the match, with Woodland winning early, Columbia coming out barely ahead in the middle stages, and Woodland finishing them off late.

In the 81', the 2nd goal for Woodland looked similar to the first. A great step and tackle by Woodland centre-back, Dakota Okwuone, began a Woodland counter attack. Nico Theberge found himself in space on the right, and dinked an incredible pass into the path of Kassa who beat Heller 5-hole to double the lead for the Royals.

2-0

Woodland would put Columbia to the sword in the 96' minute when Arar, Kassa, and Theberge combined again, this time Kassa turning provider and Theberge turning finisher.

3-0

For the Royals, Naguib Nassir, David Ray-Campoy, and Dakota Okwuone were particularly excellent while staying off the score sheet. Nassir was able to preserve the clean sheet with one of the greatest saves you will see all season. A howitzer of a shot destined for the top corner was denied when Nassir, at full stretch, tipped onto the crossbar, and rose up again to snag the ball heading goal wards off a rebounded header from a 2nd Columbia player.

A solid team performance all around, and one that Coach Givler is sure to be proud of. The Royals secure 3-points, and move into 2nd in the Gateway West conference. They will have the chance to move into 1st if they are able to win their next match against First City FC on May 27th, in Leavenworth KS.

You can catch the replay of the match here!

Find more photos of the match here!